bishops

There are 26 Church of England bishops sitting in the House of Lords as of right. They have been there since the time of Henry VIII - a constitutional set-up that leaves us in the inglorious company of Iran... and very few others.

In a dramatic development, the House of Lords has voted to allow the use of religious premises and religious language in same-sex partnerships. Peers voted in favour of the proposal by 93 votes to 21, despite government opposition.

Four bishops will be amongst the protestors at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston, Berkshire next week. Hundreds of people of many faiths and of none are preparing to blockade the site on Monday 15 February.

Having unelected male religious leaders from one denomination in an unelected legislative chamber is unfair, inappropriate and contrary to the Christian message of equality and justice, an audience in parliament heard this week.

In a historic and controversial move, the Episcopal Church in the USA, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has voted to remove the bar on priests in monogamous same-sex relationships from becoming bishops.